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In this newsletter:
- Industry & Policy Workshop: Full Agenda Announced!
- Upcoming Events
- "Watt's Up" With Representative Gina Hinojosa?
- Welcome New SPEER Members
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Join SPEER! *18-month special ends 8/31.
- Noteworthy Announcements
- What We're Reading
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SPEER Industry & Policy Workshop: Agenda Announced! | |
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The full agenda for SPEER's 2024 Industry + Policy Workshop is now live!
Join us as we navigate Distributed Energy Resource (DER) policy implementation and VPP expansion, hear from the State Energy Conservation Office's Director, Eddy Trevino, and share next steps for utilities and local government agencies post IIJA and IRA grants. We'll be joined by Senator Nathan Johnson, Matthew Boms, Executive Director of Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, and Robert Cavazos, Manager of EE Consumer Programs at AEP Texas to provide insight on Shifting Demand and the Power of Energy Efficient Policies & Residential Demand Response.
This year's event will be held in Austin at the Archer Hotel on September 19-20th. Don't miss insightful discussions and presentations from energy experts and leaders focused on the most pressing energy matters in our region, including consumer's role in resiliency, heat pump insights and EER requirements, gas efficiency, and much more. Let’s create change and expand efficiency together.
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Thank you to Daikin and Austin Energy Green Building (Megawatt sponsors), Mitsubishi (Happy hour sponsor), TEESI Engineering (Kilowatt sponsor), Ameresco (Break sponsor), CLEAResult, TRC, and LG Electronics (Watt sponsors), Advanced Power Alliance (Lanyard sponsor), CleanTX (Promotional Partner)!
Interested in joining as a conference sponsor? Head over to our registration page to save your spot and browse sponsorship opportunities! Your sponsorships are incredibly important to us and help continue the sustaining efforts of our organization as we educate and support energy efficiency across the Texas and Oklahoma region. With your support we are able to further our mission and initiatives. The SPEER team looks forward to seeing you in the fall!
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SPEER Staff to Present at AIA Austin Design Excellence Conference
"Building Effective Partnerships with Local Governments to Advance Energy Efficiency and Innovation"
August 14, 2024
8:00 AM-9:00 AM CT
Join the SPEER team at the AIA Austin Design Excellence Conference as they discuss the significance of energy codes and policies to advance efficiency. SPEER’s Shaun Auckland, Local Government Manager; Noah Oaks, Policy Manager; and Randy Plumlee, Energy Code Manager will take a deep dive into various policies and strategies that support the advancement of energy efficiency technologies, current programs, and other innovative practices within local governments. Other speakers and inspiring breakout sessions will be focused on sustainability, resiliency, and inclusive design.
Learn how these initiatives strengthen local economies, enhance public health, and improve the quality of life for communities. Register here.
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"Watt's Up" with Representative Gina Hinojosa | |
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On January 14th, 2025 the 89th Texas Legislature will convene. As we move closer to the first day of session, SPEER is sitting down with energy policy leaders in our video series “Watt’s Up” to discuss a broad range of topics that impact the Texas grid operations, reliability and resiliency, and consumer bills.
In our recent discussion we had the opportunity to speak with Representative Gina Hinojosa, representing House District 49, to review our grid resources, how to develop a workforce prepared for increased resource mixture, and what the Representative is looking forward to in the upcoming session.
Missed our prior chat with Senator Nathan Johnson? We reviewed distributed energy resources (DER), how they can be deployed effectively to reduce stress on the grid, recent legislation pending implementation at the PUCT, and what the Senator is anticipating in the upcoming session.
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SPEER is happy to welcome our newest members, the City of Denton and TxETRA! We are excited to have them join us as we continue our mission to advance energy efficiency in our region.
Learn more about SPEER membership and consider joining us!
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Join SPEER! 18-Month Special Ends 8/31 | |
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SPEER's mission is large-scale and becoming more urgent by the moment. High impact weather events are happening more often, our region is growing drastically, and energy efficiency is more important than ever to protect the future of our grid.
Membership dollars allow us to push forward in our commitment to expand energy efficiency in our territory and beyond, and to help create a more sustainable, healthy environment for all Texans and Oklahomans.
Join us today – we are offering an 18-month special until 8/31, and your membership will last through 2025! Your contribution will go directly to driving this organization and the crucial mission it represents.
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SECO's EECBG Application Deadline Extended
The application deadline for SECO's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) has been extended until Aug. 16th, with funding of up to $250,000 per successful application.
The EECBG Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency.
More info & application details can be found here.
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PowerHouse Texas Energy Academy
The PowerHouse Texas Energy Academy offers a unique educational program tailored to provide staff with in-depth insights into energy policy & the latest advancements in energy technologies. This year's program period runs from August-October, 2024. Learn more here.
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PNNL/DOE Energy Skilled Training
The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Energy Skilled program, recognizes credential programs that are preparing workers for meaningful and in-demand job opportunities for the clean energy transition. Energy Skilled recognition is given to training programs and certifications that align with Building Science Education (BSE) topics. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) manages the Energy Skilled recognition program on behalf of DOE.
Click here for recognition categories and criteria, as well as instructions for applying.
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2024 Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX)
Join the Seattle-based Smart Buildings Center for the free 2024 Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) to be held virtually & in-person August 27-29, 2024. Interactive conference sessions featuring a mix of panel discussions and case study presentations will explore the market opportunity for smart buildings and highlight solutions that can help building owners, managers, and operators address challenges currently facing the commercial, corporate, and institutional real estate industries. Topics of focus will include building optimization efforts to address climate change, grid-interactive efficient buildings and the role they play in the clean energy transition, smart technologies for resiliency and security, enhancing buildings for hybrid work environments, and more.
The virtual opening plenary session for Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) 2024 will feature Jigar Shah, Director of the Loans Program Office at the US Department of Energy (DOE). Mr. Shah will provide opening remarks on the extensive efforts by DOE and other federal agencies to help building owners invest in reducing carbon emissions from their properties. He will be joined by an elite panel of experts including Marc Daudon (The Caspian Group), Andy Hammons (Ryan Company), and Molly McCabe (HaydenTanner) in a discussion moderated by Ash Awad (McKinstry) about the public, private and tax credit resources that will catalyze the decarbonization of the built environment. Register for free today!
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GridNEXT 2024
October 25, 2024
9:00 am - 3:00 pm CST
The University of Texas at Arlington, 701 S Nedderman Dr, Arlington, TX 76019
CleanTX invites you to this year's GridNEXT DFW - Meeting The Demand. This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain insights into the latest trends, and explore the future of the ERCOT power grid. Participate in discussions and presentations by top experts in the renewable energy sector, connect with professionals, innovators, and thought leaders, and discover cutting-edge technologies and solutions driving the future of energy. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, GridNEXT offers valuable insights and opportunities to grow your network and knowledge.
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Home Improvement Savings Opportunities with a New ENERGY STAR Tool
Homeowners can use the EPA’s recently released tool that provides information on federal, state, and local incentives that can help increase a home’s efficiency, while saving thousands of dollars. The new home savings web tool is a zip code-based resource that allows people to identify all the energy-efficiency incentives available in their area.
Homeowners can:
- Find available financial incentives (federal tax credits, Inflation Reduction Act state rebates, utility rebates, and discounts).
- Find resources for income-based assistance for upgrades.
- Identify and learn about eligible products.
- Get connected to installation professionals and retailers in the area.
Access the Home Improvement Savings Tool.
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Free Online Demand Flexibility Learning With AESP & DOE
AESP is helping you elevate your expertise with FLEX's premium online courses! Dive into the world of demand flexibility, connected water heaters, lighting, HVAC systems, and distributed energy resources like solar and EVSE. Thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), this is cost-free, convenient, and designed for tomorrow's energy efficiency leaders. Learn more.
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Need to Catch Up?
Missed last week’s policy newsletter? Browse past issues of our newsletters and subscribe to other distribution lists here.
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